85 (Lucian’s POV Martha’s Desperation


    48 Poets


    85 (Lucian’s POV) Martha’s Desperation


    Lucian


    I couldn’t believe my luck.


    Mara must have made one hell of an impression on Austin. I’ve known him since I was twelve-loyal, quiet, never overstepping. But for him to snoop around like this, dig through Tina’s room andptop without being asked? That was a


    first.


    It meant something. It meant she meant something to him, too.


    As we stepped out of the room, Austin gave me more good news.


    “I’ve already sent a couple to the holiday home,” he said. “They live on the same street. Trustworthy people. They’ll handle the cleaning and upkeep.”


    I could’ve hugged him again.


    Thest thing I needed was a flirtatious young maid eyeing me or some smooth-talking guy trying his luck with Mara. We weren’t moving out to y house in a soap opera-we wanted peace. Sanctuary. And Austin, bless him, got it.


    “Thank you,” I told him, meaning every word.


    He gave me a small nod, and we parted ways.


    Technically, we were just “going on vacation.” Everyone believed it, including my father. But Mara and I both knew this was more than that-it was a retreat, a soft escape. If we stayed away until after Tina gave birth, Vander would raise questions. So we settled on a rhythm: one week each month at the Nighthorn mansion. It would be just enough to keep up


    appearances.


    When I returned to our room, Mara had already finished packing her essentials. She looked up at me, her brows raised


    slightly.


    “Tina’s back?”


    I shook my head.


    The relief on her face was immediate, even if she tried to mask it. I could see the toll this whole situation was taking on her. She wasn’t okay, no matter how much she pretended. Beneath the strength and smiles was a quiet fear-that maybe I’d go back to Tina, maybe keep her as a mistress. I hated that she even had to consider it.


    I crossed the room and sat beside her on the couch, pulling her gently into my arms.


    “You mean the world to me, Mara,” I said softly.


    She smiled, not with her lips, but with her eyes. The kind of smile that says I hear you, even if she can’t say it out loud.


    F


    Then she gave me a look-a yful warning glint in her eye.


    I kissed her forehead, and she immediately frowned.


    “I am not your little sister, Lucian,” she muttered.


    And then she kissed me.


    Not gently.


    It was fierce. Hungry. Reassuring.


    I just wanted a cut to survive. I’m a lot of things, Lucian, but I never meant to betray us.”


    I believed her. At least, I believed that part. Her greed was real, but her ignorance wasn’t an act.


    “Then that’s my answer,” I said simply. I turned to walk away.


    “Lucian, please,” she called after me. Her voice had shifted-no longer maniptive. Just desperate. Raw.


    “I really need this money.”


    I paused but didn’t turn around. The silence stretched between us-thick with history, lies, and too many second chances.


    es (Lucian’s POV) Martha’s Desperation


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